Why should you belong to the BLE-T?
The Oldest Labor Organization in North America: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLE-T)
The BLE-T was founded on May 8, 1863, in Marshall, Michigan, as the Brotherhood of the Footboard. A year later, in 1864, its name was changed to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. The organization was originally formed as a secret brotherhood due to the significant violence and aggression railroad executives used against workers attempting to unionize. On January 1, 2004, the union merged with the Teamsters, becoming the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. At 161 years old, the BLE-T is North America’s oldest labor organization.
Protecting workers through historic legislation
In cooperation with other railroad brotherhoods, the BLE-T has a long history of fighting for workers’ rights.
- The Hours of Service Act (1907): The union spearheaded the drive to make the 24-hour workday illegal. This effort resulted in the Hours of Service Act, which established a maximum 16-hour workday.
- The Adamson Act (1916): The BLE-T’s leadership was also instrumental in the passage of the Adamson Act, which secured the eight-hour day and was the first federal law addressing overtime pay. An original copy of the Act and the pen used by President Woodrow Wilson to sign it are displayed at the BLET National Division Museum in Independence, Ohio.
The Spokane Division: A legacy of dedication
The Spokane locomotive engineers of BLE-T Division 104 have consistently defended their members’ pay, time off, and collective bargaining rights. When the “Article 9” agreement was forced on other terminals in the northern region, Spokane engineers held their ground. As a result of this hard work and dedication, the division was able to reclaim its legacy pools seven years later. It remains one of the only terminals to maintain its legacy pool system without degradation by Article 9 issues.
Join the fight for better working conditions
BLE-T Division 104
empowers its members by allowing every member to vote on all issues affecting their seniority. We do not enter into any agreements without the consent of our membership. If you want to regain control of your seniority and agreements, join our fight for the best pay and working conditions.
For more information, contact:
- Steve Snyder: 509-570-8065
- Erik Bledsoe: 503-705-4703
- Dacen Kuntz: 509-960-1326
- Tom Barrett: 208-446-8335
- Rob Holton: 208-661-1444
- Kevin Mumaw: 760-214-5134
